The orange lunules on the underside hindwing are not bordered black on the outside, bordered black in Satyrium ilicis.

The "False ilex hairstreak" is distinguishable from the "Ilex hairstreak" (Satyrium ilicis) by the markings on the underside of the hindwing, as well, in the female, as a less prominent, or absent, orange flush on the upperside of the forewing (variable). Generally, the marginal white line on the underside of the hindwing is vestigial, and the orange spots are neatly edged internally with black, rather than bordered on both inside and outside in black.
The "hairstreak" line on the hindwing is less erratic in S. esculi and the row of red spots are more regular and complete, reaching up to the apex. These spots are rather smaller and brighter in S. esculi and they are bordered only internally with a dark line where as ilicis has both internal and external dark bordering to these spots.

Flight times
From Mai till August.
It flies till 1300 meters of altitude. There is only one generation.

The food plants of their caterpillares are Quercus ilex and Quercus coccifera. They are assisted by ants from the genus Camponotus.

Range:
It is found in the north of Africa(Tunisia, Algeria et Marocco), Spain, Portugal, the south of France, the Balearic Islands, on Ibiza and Majorca.